Training & Workshops

Elisabeth Gerber and Michael Traugott - Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan

This workshop introduced participants to the design of experiments in surveys. Well-designed experiments gave a researcher improved causal leverage over the simple observation of differences within a traditional survey. Organized around the Total Survey Error (TSE) approach to the design of surveys, it emphasized different kinds of experiments that were introduced at different stages of the survey process. This included experiments directed to sample design, mode of interviewing, interviewing, and questionnaire design (wording, order, and response categories). In addition to examples of different designs, the workshop also focused on examples of analytical approaches to evaluating experimental data.